The closest most in Singapore would get to seeing a bird-of-paradise in the flesh would be at Mandai's Bird Paradise.

Or perhaps, as a very rare avian migrant.

One Singapore resident however, recently managed to spot a particularly colourful bird-of-paradise at the foot of an HDB block.

The resident, surnamed Wong, told Mothership that she saw the unusual bird resting on the ground on Mar. 23 at around 11am.

It was in a "very high traffic area near many HDB flats", she said.

Uncertain as to what species the bird was, she shared some photos on the Singapore Wildlife Sightings Facebook page.

Wong observed that the bird did not appear to be injured, but initially speculated that it might be an exhausted migrant.

A twelve-wired bird-of-paradise

Wong subsequently informed the Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (Acres).

However, she said that the team was unable to head down to the scene as they were busy with other cases.

Wong then had to rush off, and only managed to return to the spot at around 4:30pm. By then, the bird was gone.

Nevertheless, Wong concluded: "I feel lucky to have seen this beautiful bird."

Facebook users identified the bird as a twelve-wired bird-of-paradise, a species native to New Guinea and Salawati Island, Indonesia.

Their name is derived from the twelve wire-like plumes on their rear, which is used in courtship.

Compared to the flamboyant male, female twelve-wired birds-of-paradise have much more drab plumage.

An escaped pet?

In the comments section of Wong's post, users noted that the bird was likely an escaped pet.

Veteran nature guide and wildlife specialist Ivan Kwan highlighted that 20 twelve-wired birds-of-paradise were imported into Singapore in 2005, according to a report by wildlife non-governmental organisation TRAFFIC.

Although the birds were described as captive-bred, birds-of-paradise are difficult to breed in captivity, and TRAFFIC states that "the only plausible explanation is that they represent wild-caught individuals".

In fact, the first time in the world a twelve-wired bird-of-paradise was bred in captivity was at the former Jurong Bird Park in 2001.

However, Wong shared that the location she saw the bird was not near Singapore's wildlife parks. It is thus unlikely it is an escapee from the wildlife parks.

Birds-of-paradise are often subject to poaching for the illegal pet trade due to their beautiful plumage.

Although the twelve-wired bird-of-paradise is labelled as "Least Concern" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), it is listed under Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

Appendix II lists species that are not necessarily threatened with extinction at the moment, but may become so if trade is not regulated.

Those importing CITES-listed species are required to obtain, among other requirements:

1. A CITES export/re-export permit obtained from the exporting/re-exporting country; and
2. A CITES import permit from the National Parks Board (NParks).

Top photo courtesy of Wong and from Mandai Wildlife Group